What kind of trees make the canopy? How is the soil there - moist, dry, etc.? And what is the size of the area you are planting? How tall can the shrubs get or how tall do you want them? Is 5 or 6 feet tall enough or do you want something taller?

I've never done a fairy type garden (and for some reason usually think of these as smaller, lower types of gardens lol, not ones with shrubs - after all, they're for fairies, lol!) I do have an area with some shade and moist soil along my neighbors boundary, and I am planting some evergreen and deciduous hollies, rhodies, viburnums and something else I can't remember off the top of my head lol, but that may be more of a traditional look than you are going for.

In terms of "showy", depending on the soil, perhaps some redtwig dogwoods - nice foliage and then red stems in winter. Deciduous hollies are good too. Both of these are not evergreen in winter, but you could do a double row of evergreens in back and then some deciduous plants in front for winter color. Cephalanthus is also a lovely shrub IMO but it does need moisture, as do willows, IME.

Also perhaps some lighter foliage for color - I am trying a Lemony Lace sambucus in front of this border. Not sure how it will do in the part shade, but it's juussst out from under the shade canopy so fingers crossed. Maybe some of the chartreusey physocarpus?? Again, not sure about the level of shade they can take.

Hydrangeas have nice color. Variegated hostas are lovely, and some get quite large. Hibiscus? Again, thinking of these as a front edging, in front of your evergreens.

These are just a few suggestions off the top of my head. If you can answer some of the questions above, folks can add many more suggestions than I can.

Keep us posted - oh, and photos would be very helpful too!

:)

Dee

Viburnum tinus and Aucuba japonica are both shade tolerant and evergreen. For the Viburnum find a named cultivar. The flowers are larger. For the Aucuba choose one with bold variegation. Lower down you could use Sarcococca, if rated hardy where you are. Evergreen with fragrant winter flowers.

I like Lonicera nitida--box honeysuckle. It's tough and does well in shade and sun in zone 8. Baggesen's Gold is the most common. I have Edmee Gold and Lemon Beauty, a variegated form. There is also Silver Beauty. You will see them pruned into hedges but I like a more natural look and don't prune off the long branches that pop up.

Windmill palm, Weeping Yaupon holly, Camellias, Trochodendron (wheel tree) Aucubas, Dendropanaz trifidus, just for starters.

Cleyera, Illicium, Chindo Viburnum, Fatsia, Aucuba, Camellia, Mahonia beali are good shade plantings for your zone. Miss Lemon & Sunshine abelia will add yellows.